You’d think that we are all into the Working from Home groove by now, wouldn’t you? However, a straw poll of friends and acquaintances has made us realise that not everyone has it quite sussed out yet.

Without wanting to sound smug, we’ve been working from home since way before it was fashionable, so in the interest of saving your sanity through the latest ‘Stay At Home’ mandate, allow us to share with you some of our favourite tips to make Working from Home a little less painful.  

1.  Set a routine

This might be easier said than done when you’re trying to wrangle 2 kids, a neurotic dog, and a temperamental boiler in the depth of winter, but we can’t stress how important this one is.

Our brains are sensitive little souls, who crave routine: it reduces uncertainty, which in turn reduces stress, which in turn helps us think clearer, which makes us more productive.

We’re not saying you should have a rigid timetable that you stick to religiously (especially not if the kids are threatening to disembowel each other in the living room) but having a plan of working times and what your urgent jobs are, can help you feel a little less overwhelmed and prone to working all hours of the day.

2.  Take regular breaks

Again, another important one. Working from home can sometimes make you feel like you’re skiving if you take any time at all away from your desk, but the reality of it is that you can’t sit for 8 hours or more a day without taking a break. It will burn you out quicker than leaving an empty pan on the hob (we don’t recommend that one, either).

Have a think about working in your office: odds are that you’ll stop throughout the day to chat with colleagues, to make a cup of tea, to use the loo… why wouldn’t you do this at home too? We’d encourage you to eat lunch somewhere different as well: all work and no play makes you ill and unable to do any work at all.

3.  Get dressed!

When I first started working at home, my friends all teased me about spending the day in my pyjamas, working in bed. But the reality is that I get dressed every single day. Sure, the internet is full of funny videos about people wearing tracksuits and leggings for the rest of their post-Covid working life, but for me, I don’t feel like I’m ready for the day if I’m not washed and pressed, Monday – Friday. I’m not saying I’m suited and booted with a full face of make-up every day, but I can definitely answer the front door without needing to apologise for an embarrassing state of undress.

4.  Turn the telly off

Another cast-iron rule, in this home office. If you’re working in a room with a TV in it, the temptation can be to pop it on for some background noise, but in my experience, this is more of a hindrance than a help. “Yes, I know I said I’d have that report ready by 11 am but honestly Lorraine was fascinating this morning, and I’m just waiting to watch this segment on This Morning about 50 Ways with a Lettuce Leaf…. Hello? Hello? Are you still there?!”

5. Fresh air

A tricky one, this, especially whilst we’re locked down and we’re only allowed out once a day. But, if you’re able to – do try to go outside for a few minutes each day, during daylight hours if possible: it breaks the monotony of staring at the same walls and helps you stay balanced. A colleague of mine ‘commutes’ to work each day by leaving the house and walking around the block – it helps her get in the right mindset at the beginning of the day and reminds her that the world is bigger than the dimensions of her living room!

I hope this list is helpful – if you have any tips or tricks to make working from home more fun, leave us a note in the comments!